The Pterygopalatine Fossa: Skeletal Framework, Communications and Content
Georges Aoun
*
Department of Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Wissam Sharrouf
Department of Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The pterygopalatine fossa, located on both sides of the skull, is a neurovascular crossroad between the middle cranial fossa, the orbit, the nasopharynx, the nasal and oral cavities, and the infratemporal fossa. It is considered a strategically complex region given its small size and the numerous structures that pass through it. This review aims to describe its skeletal framework, content, and communications with other regions.
Keywords: Pterygopalatine fossa, pterygopalatine ganglion, vidian nerve, maxillary nerve, maxillary artery